The U.S. Air Force is investigating why an F-22 Raptor skidded to a stop on the runway at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada shortly after takeoff last week.
The Lockheed Martin [LMT]-built F-22, which is assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska, was at Fallon to participate in a training exercise with the Navy, said Master Sgt. Joshua Jasper, a JBER spokesman. The pilot exited the plane “safely” during the April 13 incident.
Jasper said it is unclear whether a landing gear glitch, an engine malfunction or another mechanical problem caused the mishap.
“We can confirm that the aircraft was later hoisted into a position where the landing gear could be extended and locked,” he said in a statement. “The aircraft was then towed to a position where damage and repairs can be evaluated.”
The jet is one of more than 180 F-22s in the Air Force fleet.
The F-22 achieved its initial operational capability in 2005, and the Air Force continues to modernize the Raptor. Operational testing for a series of major upgrades is due to wrap up this month (Defense Daily, Jan. 26).
The Increment 3.2B upgrades will allow the F-22 to carry two more kinds of air-to-air missiles. They will also improve the plane’s electronic protection, emitter geolocation, intra-flight data link and weapons integration and use.
In fiscal year 2019, the Air Force plans to begin an F-22 sensor enhancement program to address advanced threats in 2025 and beyond.